Nottingham Forest at Fulham

Our last outing at Nottingham Forest was memorable 3-5 loss. In what would be Felix Magath's last match with Fulham, we were rock bottom and Nottingham Forest sat at the top of the table. We went down early 0-2, but then had an improbable comeback to take a 3-2 lead. Unfortunately things went off the rails halfway through the second half and we gave up three unanswered goals - the winner in the 89th minute. The result was 16 points separating us and Nottingham with the rest of the league in-between.

Since then our fortunes have gone in different directions. Nottingham has been in a freefall. Prior to this past Saturday they had only two wins in 20 games and there was talk of replacing their manager. Meanwhile Fulham turned things around under Kit and we've fought our way off the bottom of the table. We now meet on Wednesday with them only three points ahead (we'd have to win by four goals to move ahead of them).

Both teams are coming off of injury times wins - theirs against Derby who at the time were #2 in the league. We've been fortunate to win our last two matches, but Nottingham Forest doesn't seem like the same team we played in September.

I'd like to see Ruiz and Woodrow rewarded with starts after their spectacular finish on Saturday (and Woodrow's performance at Wolverhampton). Then I'd like a dominating performance with a clean sheet and 2-0 win! COYW!!

 

I agree with your assertion about Cauley MM. I think Ruiz is automatic when fully fit and a sane manager's in charge of the club. Conversely, I think Hugo needs to sit. He's gone stone cold of late. Missed some shots against Reading that should have at least tested the keeper. And I'll go so far as to say we're overdue for a home goalfest and will get the four we need AND the clean sheet to pass the Reds in the table. We've shown signs of shaking the recent mini slump, and two VERY late match goals can do wonders for a team's mindset. 4-nil Whites! COYW!

 

I hate these games where when we win, probability says we only move up one spot. Love it when we're able to jump 2-3, which will happen with 2 more! redemption and a 3-0 victory!

 

I'll take a line-up of...



Although I would slot LVC in for Ruiz or Kaca if fit.

 

Espnfc preview has LVC still out, really hope Kit leaves him home for Saturday's trip to Sunderland as well. Preview also mentioned Kit in a quandary over whether or not to rest Parker tomorrow or Sat. As much as I want to see Fulham play at Wembley at least once in my lifetime, not ready to give up on the season yet. 20 matches left, 13 points off the playoff pace, and a whole bunch of teams to leapfrog is a longshor at best, but it's still the priority. Only 6 points behind 9th place, so that's the target, reach that and then reassess the chances. 3 points for the lads in white, COYW!!

 

I'm pretty sure in the team news prior to the Reading match that Kit said LVC would not be available for Reading or Forest. He wanted LVC to have a full week's worth of practice without incident prior to returning to the lineup.

I'm not sure what to expect in this league anymore. But I'll go with a home victory for the Whites. I said 2 - nil in the tipping league, so I'll stick with that.

 

Didn't get the lineup I wanted, hopefully they still deliver on the win I asked for:

Bettinelli
Grimmer, Hutchinson, Bodurov, Stafylidis
Fofana, Tunnicliffe, Parker, Kačaniklić
McCormack, Rodallega

 

Is that the same line-up as Saturday?

I saw an article regarding Chris David in which Kit said that he picks the best line-up for the opposition. And David just hasn't made any of those line-ups. Apparently Kit thinks all of our opposition is the same since he rarely makes changes outside of injuries.

 

Lansbury's 2 < Ross's 3. Flat second half aside, it's 3 points to the good!!

 

PHEW!

 

Things will likely change after the rest of the league games this weekend, but as of now we are closer on points to the playoffs than relegation!

Maybe we just haven't seen enough variety in our opposition. After all they all have been soccer clubs. What would Kit do if it was Fulham vs. Seattle Seahawks? Or what about Fulham vs. the 7th Panzer Division? Or Fulham vs. Hurricane Ditka? Perhaps David would be appropriate in one of those potential match-ups?

 

Very troubling to let them back in after a 3-nil lead, but, screw it, beggars can't be choosers. I'll gladly take the three points. Onward!

 

Highlights below.

 

Finally got to watch the highlights. Rodallega might not be firing in the goals, but he had two great assists to McCormack. If I were Kit, I'd be hesitant to break up that partnership by playing Woodrow in the coming league games (as much as I like Woodrow).